Monday, January 31, 2011

Organizing a Book Club for Kids

It’s exciting to hear that more and more kids are interested in reading and want to formulate a book club. Book Club is a fun way to exercise reading and comprehension, learn new words, and express opinions.

If your child is interested in a book club, organizing one is simple. Try the following:

• Have your child or school extend an invitation to seek participants.
• Pick reading materials that everyone can benefit from (ie. sequel or series books, Highlights Magazine, Sports books and journals, mysteries, drama, etc.) or ask potential members what books they are drawn to reading.
• Provide a fun activity based on the book or story. Participation is crucial within a book club and this is a way to get everyone to participate. Also, an activity will reinforce or provide knowledge. Activities can be word games, Pictionary, role playing, spoken word, and more.
• Decide on a designated time, place, and length of your book club. Make sure that it’s amenable to each participant and their parent(s) or guardian.

Speaking from personal experience, I organized a book club when I lived in New Jersey, and I loved every minute of it. I read books that I normally wouldn’t have selected, and I ventured into conversations that I normally wouldn’t have discussed. My mind grew, and my world became larger all through reading with my amazing book club. I hope that your child finds a unique element to book club that will enable him or her to soar as well.

Happy Reading!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

So You Want To Be An Author!

It starts out with a numbing sensation or feeling that you try to ignore. It’s definitely something, but what could it be? A gentle whisper, a possible dream, an overwhelming thought, a spiritual moment…not sure?

It comes back again and again sometimes more forceful than before. Yes, you try to imbed and bury it deep down inside, but it won’t let you. It allows you to waste days, months, and years, but it’s presence abides with you.

Until one day, you relent. You no longer ignore it. You decide to face it and acknowledge it. Then you speak it out loud (only to yourself of course). You want to be an author. Uh oh, it becomes real, and it is a real feeling indeed.

Over the course of this year, I will shed some light on my journey to becoming an author. Since I'm basically asked the same question(s), I want to share my experience, accomplishments, and pitfalls with you. Welcome to my world!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Summer Camp is Around The Corner!

The time of selecting summer camps for our children is nearly approaching. The months of February and March, which are designated as the kick-off for summer camps, anxiously capture a parent’s attention and make him or her ask the dreaded, yet hopeful question, “What Are My Kids Doing for Summer Camp?”

To alleviate some of the stress, start looking in parenting magazines or sites in your area. There you will find a list of residential or localized camps for your children and their needs. Most parents are aware of their local camps through the YMCA, private schools, universities, sports programs, and religious organizations. However, in viewing my local site, I ran across a plethora of camps that I was unaware of like the 4-H Teen Congress which focuses on government, citizenship, leadership, and community service. The Bachman Academy Summer Quest is a camp specifically for kids with dyslexia and ADHD. The 4-H Motor Sports Day Camp allows children to use mathematical, engineering, and technology concepts to build, understand, and race cars. The ABC Language Stimulation School assists children with speech and language delays. The nature center instructs kids on water ecology and nocturnal animals. The Acting and Scene Study obtained a grant and is a camp for children who are interested in pursuing acting.

Alright, I did go on record to say that there are many camps for you to choose from. You just have to narrow your purpose and mission down along with convenience, reliability/safety, affordability, enrichment, and adventure. Overall, summer camp is a time to make learning and development fun and impactful. So go for it!